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There are a few pieces of news tonight regarding the newly announced “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” theme park coming to the Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
First, for those that missed the news before, the HarryPotter/Universal website we told you about the other night is indeed open, and contains a place for fans to register for alerts, the text of the announcement, as well as some detailed FAQs about this park. As we have received many owls on this subject, please note the site specifically says the park may open “late 2009 or early 2010.” Also new is an edited version of the webcast announcement (the original here on our Youtube channel), with additional footage of the Dumbledore’s office set. You can download this new announcement video via our galleries.

The second piece of news is regarding some of the new features which are rumored to be part of the new Harry Potter section of Universal, specifically some of the rides. Readers will remember several years ago that a blogger named Jim Hill reported the first of the Harry Potter theme park rumors with Disney; tonight Mr. Hill has a new report on what he believes some of the purported new rides are to be, including one involving the Weasley Family car. In response to the “state of the art” attraction mentioned in the Universal announcement, Jim Hill writes the following on what he believes this attraction will be:

A big “E” Ticket attraction. Which — as you may have already heard — will be a state-of-the-art family-friendly thrill ride that will then allow IOA guests to first soar through the trees of the Forbidden Forest and then fly high above the grounds of Hogwarts inside of the Weasley family’s Ford Anglia. (FYI : This attraction will reportedly be housed inside of the soon-to-be-closed-and-gutted “Eighth Voyage of Sindbad” stunt show theater).

Other intriguing tidbits involve a racing coaster ride, with the piece stating “it’s be re-imagined as part of the Tri Wizard Tournament. Where brave wizards do battle with fierce dragons. With the hope that they’ll be able to win the Goblet of Fire” Also reportedly we will “get a chance to get a close-up look at the Goblet. Which — just as it appeared in the “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” film — will be displayed on an ornate pedestal with magical blue flames licking out of its top.”

In addition, Jim Hill reports this about a Hagrid’s Hut area: “Take — for example — that area’s “Flying Unicorn” kiddie coaster. According to what I hear, Universal plans on retheming this area so that you first queue up in the garden outside of Hagrid’s cottage. Then — after wandering through the Care of Magical Creatures teacher’s home — you then get the chance to board the now re-themed “Flying Hippogriff” kiddie coaster.”

While this all sounds very exciting, please keep this very much in the rumor category for now.
Thanks Justin!